Tankers Burn in Strait of Hormuz as US and Iran Present Contradictory Accounts of Maritime Strikes

Says new military action will most likely not be necessary if Iran signs a strong agreement, while insisting US forces are fully ready and that 38 bridges and other key sites could be destroyed within an hour, and vowing not to let Iran obtain nuclear weapons.

“"यह इस बात पर निर्भर करता है कि वे मजबूत समझौते पर हस्ताक्षर करते हैं या नहीं. इसकी जरूरत पड़ने की संभावना बेहद कम है."” hi

Says renewed strikes are highly unlikely if Iran signs a strong agreement and reopens the Strait of Hormuz, while warning that US forces have three aircraft carriers locked and loaded and can knock down 38 Iranian bridges in an hour.

““It depends on whether or not they sign a very strong agreement,””

Warns that Iran will rain down hell if the United States resumes attacks and says Tehran's two-day proposal remains conditional on meeting requirements including an end to war on all fronts.

““Or choose war, and see our alert and battle-hardened warriors rain down hell,””

Warns that Iran's armed forces are ready and that any enemy mistake will bring a devastating and severe response, adding that capabilities have been upgraded since the Ramadan War.

““The armed forces are at the ready, and if the enemy makes a mistake, Iran’s response will be devastating and severe””

Says the oil tanker that caught fire east of the Strait of Hormuz had its identification systems turned off and was traveling in the strait's no-go zone.

Says the US land blockade on Iran is in effect and renewed strikes are highly unlikely if talks on Tehran's nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz progress, and expects to discuss denuclearisation and the Iran war with Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin at APEC.

“highly unlikely”

Threatens to 'rain down hell' if the US resumes attacks on Iran.

“rain down hell”

Announces it disabled the St. Kitts-flagged cargo ship Huda in the Gulf of Oman with precision-guided munitions after its crew attempted to breach the blockade on Iran, and says the blockade has redirected 147 vessels and disabled five since July.

Says American voters have made their choice and the White House must now define its position, adding that Tehran's two-day proposal remains on the table and calls on Washington to accept its demands including ending the war on all fronts.

Describes Iran's demands for a settlement as unacceptable and some as outrageous, says talks have not produced fruitful results, and insists the United States will respond to any Iranian threat to its forces or ships.

Announces that three oil tankers exploded and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz on unauthorized routes, blaming the vessels for disabling navigation systems and accusing the US military of facilitating smuggling through malicious practices.

Agrees at a 1 November meeting to keep December output targets unchanged for a fourth month amid export disruptions from the Gulf.

Says the company is diversifying imports and has held talks with China's CNPC and PetroChina on petrol, diesel and crude supplies.

“Сегодня существуют различные риски, связанные со стабильным обеспечением населения нефтепродуктами. Чтобы устранить эти риски и предупредить их возникновение, мы рассматриваем диверсификацию импорта.” ru

Says it is highly improbable that he will order the US back to war against Iran provided there is progress in negotiations on Tehran's nuclear programme and on reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

“"altamente improbabile"” it

Reports that Thailand holds at least 118 days of diesel and petrol supply and that Hormuz is marked as a disrupted import route in its supply-chain mapping.

Blames Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries for the global diesel shortage and rising prices.

Says most analysts would attribute the fall in Russian refined-product exports mainly to Ukrainian drone strikes rather than international sanctions.

Says the US-Iran conflict caused the major shock to energy markets in 2026, with the Russia-Ukraine war now adding pressure.

Says Ukrainian attacks strike deep inside Russia and heavily affect the market of the world's second-largest diesel exporter.

Says a US military aircraft fired precision munitions at the stern of the St. Kitts-flagged M/V Huda, disabling it after the crew ignored repeated warnings and tried to violate the naval blockade following a call at an Iranian port.

“"A US military aircraft fired precision munitions at the stern of St. Kitts-flagged M/V Huda, disabling the ship after CENTCOM forces directed the crew to abandon targeted spaces. The cargo vessel tried to depart regional waters after visiting an Iranian port,"”

Says two violating oil tankers that turned off navigation and GPS systems hit naval mines and caught fire in the Strait of Hormuz, and warns that any vessel cooperating with the US Army and entering the unauthorized zone will definitely hit mines.

Has personally taken part in indirect talks with Iran over the past two weeks aimed at reaching a new ceasefire and resuming nuclear negotiations.

Held phone calls over two days with counterparts from 12 countries, reiterating that the sovereignty of all states must be respected, aggression and threats must end, destructive foreign interference must be avoided, and that regional states bear responsibility for preventing further security escalation.

Argues that the Republican midterm defeat was not simply a Democratic win but a consequence of Washington's miscalculations in its conflict with Iran, permanently eroding US regional influence while escalating economic pressure at home, and warns that ongoing US military deployments and reduced diplomacy could precede renewed high-intensity conflict.

Claims 11 tankers caught fire in the strait in nine days, some of which sank, and says vessels have repeatedly struck mines.

Says US forces have supported the transport of more than 1.5 billion barrels of crude since the summer.

Takes part in the call on arrangements to resume shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Discusses with his Iranian counterpart understandings that would allow navigation through Hormuz to resume without obstacles, based on respect for state sovereignty and technical mechanisms.

“أهمية الانتقال من مرحلة تهدئة التوترات إلى مرحلة تثبيت تفاهمات مستدامة، تقوم على ترتيبات عملية لضمان سلامة الممرات البحرية” ar

Claims there has been progress in talks with Iran while threatening to destroy what is left of the Islamic Republic if negotiations fail.

“"destroy what is left"”

Has taken centre stage in mediation, with its emir discussing the Iran file with President Trump.

Wants the blockade of its ports ended and sanctions lifted with its funds released, and has promised strong retaliation to new attacks.

Reimposed a naval blockade in the Strait of Hormuz in June to prevent Iranian oil exports, applying to all vessel traffic regardless of flag and covering the entire Iranian coastline, including ports and oil terminals.

Announced Task Force Iron Gate to coordinate with US agencies to prevent Iran from moving advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illegal revenue across land borders and the Caspian Sea, and claims its naval blockade has prevented more than $25 billion in crude oil exports.

“The new Centcom team will coordinate with other US government agencies on preventing the movement of advanced weapons systems, dual-use technologies, sanctioned materials, and illegal revenue streams across Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea,”

Says the task force will strengthen collaboration with US interagency partners and further constrain Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish its military, reinforcing the blockade's success.

“Strengthening Centcom's collaboration with US interagency partners will further constrain Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish their military,”

Announced Operation Economic Outcast targeting digital assets, gold, technology, aviation, and shipping, aiming to sever every economic lifeline sustaining Iran until Tehran stands alone.

“Today, in that same spirit, we are launching an economic onslaught against Iran's financial connections around the globe. Our objective is to sever every economic lifeline that sustains this tyrannical regime, until Tehran stands alone,”

Calls the US "Iron Gate" encirclement plan mere wordplay that will fail to collapse Iran's economy, says Iran will hit back many times harder to any targeting of its vessels, and insists Washington cannot block Iran's trade routes to its neighbours.

“این طرح صرفاً بازی با الفاظ است و آمریکایی‌ها نخواهند توانست از این طریق به هدف خود، یعنی اعمال فشار شدید اقتصادی برای فروپاشی و متلاشی کردن اقتصاد ایران، دست پیدا کنند.” fa

Seeks the lifting of sanctions, the release of frozen assets, and an end to the US naval blockade in negotiations.

Insists on resolving Iran's nuclear file as part of any agreement.

Expresses cautious optimism about progress in Iran-US negotiations through Qatari mediation but warns that a return to military conflict remains possible, reflecting Gulf Arab states' desire neither for an Iranian military victory nor for another wider war.

Traveled to Tehran for the first time since the war began, meeting Araghchi, Pezeshkian, and Rezaei.

Met Putin in Turkmenistan in early October and again in Moscow on 27 October, with both sides emphasizing continued bilateral cooperation.

Traveled to Moscow and delivered the Supreme Leader's message to Putin, saying talks focused on regional issues, post-war security arrangements, and bilateral cooperation without foreign interference.

Held meetings with Pezeshkian and received Rezaei at the Kremlin as part of deepening bilateral security and energy cooperation.

Argues in a report that the war has elevated Russia's role in Iran's military support and deterrence calculations while stopping short of a binding defense alliance given Russian self-interest and limited capacity.

Says the cargo vessel tried to depart regional waters after visiting an Iranian port and that its stern was struck with precision munitions after the civilian crew ignored repeated warnings.

“"tried to depart regional waters after visiting an Iranian port" and "precision munitions"”

Say 22 people were rescued following a fire on a vessel in the Gulf of Oman.

Say three non-compliant oil tankers caught fire while transiting the Strait of Hormuz.

Says it intercepted missiles fired toward Riyadh, that debris damaged an Aramco building, and accuses the Yemen-based Houthis of launching two ballistic and two cruise missiles.

Say 33 people were killed in Saudi-led attacks on Sanaa on Saturday.

Says renewed US strikes on Iran are highly unlikely if Tehran signs a strong agreement, while claiming the US military is ready with three aircraft carriers and 38 bridges targeted and describing Iran as a failing nation.

“The answer is highly unlikely it's going to be necessary.”

Says peace mediators have not traveled since the US midterm election, which he calls a shock, and that Iran must see how long Washington takes to digest the results before deciding next steps.

“We now have to see how long it will take for them to digest these results, in order to determine how we are going to move forward,”

Are targeting high-profile targets in Riyadh and elsewhere across Saudi Arabia.

Rejects Trump's account of its economic and military collapse and maintains at least a partial blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Confirms the 6 November US strike on Qeshm Island, calls the operation minor, and says US forces destroyed a small air-defense system.

Says renewed strikes are very unlikely given Iran's failing economy, claims its air defenses are gone and it retains only 10% of missile and 15% of drone capacity, and says he would prefer to preserve Iranian infrastructure.

“«Відповідь така: дуже малоймовірно, що це буде необхідно. Вони — країна, що зазнає невдачі. Ви бачили, що інфляція в Ірані цьогоріч 301%.»” uk

Sent Iranian official Mohsen Rezaei a letter about the possibility of resuming negotiations.

Urged Trump to strike Iran immediately after the US midterm elections and discussed with him the timing of possible resumed operations in a phone call.

Describes recent US strikes as 'minor'.

“minor”

Says three 'non-compliant tankers' exploded and caught fire in the 'illegal channel' and that two struck mines.

“non-compliant tankers”

Says Task Force Iron Gate will reinforce 'the success of our ironclad blockade against Iran at sea'.

“the success of our ironclad blockade against Iran at sea”

Doubts a quick deal and sees a high chance that fighting will resume.

Attributes rising domestic goods prices partly to the lengthening and overland rerouting of Iran's import routes.

Says at best one of every ten ships that left China for Iran has delivered its cargo since the war began, and that freight costs have multiplied.

Says daily cargo movements from Bandar Abbas have fallen from 5,000–6,000 loads to 20–30 and that tyre and oil costs have risen sharply.

Initially relied on the market to fill storage, saying security of supply cannot be read from storage levels alone, then instructed state company Sefe to store more gas.

Says meeting storage targets is no longer strictly necessary for secure gas supply because Germany can import LNG by tanker.

Warns that historically low storage levels require action on winter precaution and that LNG import capacity cannot replace empty storage.

“Die Importkapazitäten an LNG reichen bei Weitem nicht aus, um leere Speicher zu ersetzen” de

Calls the situation a perfect storm and argues markets cannot price extraordinary geopolitical threats, so additional strategic precaution can be sensible.

Complains that German late storage buying is making gas more expensive for Europe as a whole.

Asserts that the United States will never succeed in imposing the economic blockade it seeks under various names and plans, and that Washington is incapable of blocking Iran's communication routes with its neighbours.

“„Statele Unite nu vor reuși niciodată să impună blocada economică pe care încearcă să o pună în aplicare (…) sub diverse denumiri și prin diferite planuri”” ro

Says the new land-route task force will further limit Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories and resupply its armed forces, and that the team will work with government agencies to stop transit of advanced weapons, dual-use technology, sanctioned materials and illicit revenue through Iran's land borders and the Caspian Sea.

“„va limita și mai mult capacitatea Iranului de a finanța terorismul, de a reconstrui fabrici de armament și de a-și reaproviziona forțele armate”” ro

Says re-entering war with Iran is extremely unlikely if progress is made on Tehran's nuclear program and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, while claiming Iran is a failing nation with 301% inflation and that US forces are ready with three aircraft carriers and 38 bridges targeted.

“„Depinde dacă vor semna sau nu un acord foarte ferm”” ro

Says he is unlikely to order new strikes on Iran as long as talks progress, conditioned on whether a very strong deal is signed, while noting the US has identified 38 bridges among Iranian targets it could destroy within an hour.

“"Bu durum, son derece güçlü bir anlaşma imzalayıp imzalamayacaklarına bağlı. Cevap şu ki, büyük ihtimalle yeni saldırılara gerek kalmayacak"” tr

Announced the establishment of the Iron Gate task force, comprising about 20 personnel in Tampa, to prevent Iran from moving advanced weapons systems, dual-use goods, and sanctioned products by land and across the Caspian Sea.

Says the Iron Gate plan is merely wordplay and will remain only on paper, existing only in statements by US officials and CENTCOM commanders, while Tehran has made preparations to counter it.

““Demir Kapı planı sadece bir kelime oyunudur. Bu plan yalnızca kâğıt üzerinde kalan, sadece ABD’li yetkililerin ve CENTCOM komutanlarının açıklamalarında var olacak planlardan biri”” tr

Says the task force will seek to determine where weapons are brought into Iran and by which routes energy is transferred, and that those routes could be targeted if Trump decides to restart attacks.

““Başkan Donald Trump’ın saldırıları yeniden başlatma kararı alması halinde bu güzergâhların hedef alınabileceğini”” tr

Says renewed combat is highly unlikely but would act if necessary, and links continuation of the truce to Iran signing a sufficiently strong agreement.

““Depende de si firman o no un acuerdo muy sólido”” es

Attributes the pause in diplomatic contacts to the shock of US midterm election results and says Tehran must wait to see how the Trump administration reacts before deciding next steps.

““En los últimos días, no ha habido más viajes (de mediadores), y la razón de esto es el shock que los resultados de las elecciones en Estados Unidos han causado a todos”” es

Says negotiations with Iran have produced no progress, calls Iranian demands unacceptable and ridiculous, and insists the United States will defend its forces and navigation in the region.

““Las exigencias iraníes son simplemente inaceptables y, en algunos casos, son escandalosas, ridículas y están desconectadas de la realidad”” es

Announced that at the end of the year he will cut the $3.8 billion in annual US military aid to Israel, arguing Israel no longer needs it because of its economic prosperity, after a conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu.

Criticized Trump and argued that the failure of the Iran offensive was the main cause of the electoral defeat.

Announced it had neutralized five unmanned aircraft, two of them captured in the Strait of Hormuz, and that three tankers were damaged after hitting mines while sailing unauthorized routes.

Released a video with recommendations for the population in the event of a nuclear disaster.

Says there are no real reasons to talk about a nuclear attack.

“no había “motivos reales para hablar de un ataque así”” es

Reportedly pressured Trump toward the Qeshm attack and suggested ending US military aid, and is likely to leave power after failing to form a governing coalition.

Criticizes the suspension of US military aid, saying it endangers Israel's strategic relationship with the United States and demanding explanations to citizens for the change in a key component of national security.

““Pone en peligro la relación estratégica del país con EEUU y debe dar explicaciones a la ciudadanía por este cambio en un componente clave de la seguridad nacional”” es

Began talks with political parties to hear their recommendations on forming a government.

Says he expects a trilateral meeting with Putin and Xi Jinping at APEC to discuss denuclearization and ending the Iran war, and that Russia and Ukraine for the first time want a deal mediated by Washington.

“Hablaremos de muchas cosas, incluida la desnuclearización, pero trataremos muchos temas. Estamos intentando poner fin a la guerra en Irán” es

Proposed using the trilateral meeting to address ending the Ukraine war and to negotiate a peace deal favorable to Moscow.

Said the first trilateral meeting of this kind is in preparation.

“en preparación” es

Warns that keeping war risk insurable depends on pricing it well above peacetime levels.

Set up a US$1 billion marine war consortium split between hull war and cargo war.

Says seafarers continue to lose their lives and be deprived of basic necessities because of geopolitical conflicts, and commits to finding further concrete measures.

“Seafarers continue to lose their lives, suffer serious injuries, face abandonment, are denied repatriation and are deprived of basic human necessities, including water, food and medical care, resulting from the ongoing geopolitical conflicts.”

Calls on member states to refrain from unlawful measures that would jeopardise the safety of seafarers and international shipping.

Says the US cannot claim to defend freedom of navigation while maintaining an illegal naval blockade of Iranian ports, calls the blockade aggression under Resolution 3314 and says Iran joined the Islamabad agreement but the US undermined it.

“the US regime cannot claim to defend freedom of navigation while continuing its illegal naval blockade of Iranian ports”

Reports that three oil tankers traveling an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz were hit by explosions and severe fires after turning off navigation and identification systems, and attributes the incident to US military aggression while warning that defiance of Iranian regulations will have no other fate.

““three rogue oil tankers traveling an unauthorized route in the Strait of Hormuz have been hit by explosions and severe fires””

Announced the establishment of Task Force Iron Gate on Saturday.

Dismisses the Iron Gate plan as wordplay, says the US cannot impose severe economic pressure to cause Iran's economic collapse through it, notes Washington previously predicted collapse within two weeks but that did not happen, and says Iran has prepared for pressure and maintains close relations with neighbors.

“The Iron Gate plan is merely wordplay. The Americans cannot achieve their objectives of imposing severe economic pressure to cause economic collapse in Iran through this approach,”

Argues what matters is not the headline 100 million barrels but how much can actually be used in a crisis, and calls for a full review of usable volumes.

Says trading the sanctioned crude will remain difficult for now even if US sanctions are lifted because EU and other restrictions remain.

Attributes diverging pump-price impacts to national tax, subsidy and pricing policies and calls for energy diversification and renewables investment.

Has repeatedly threatened to launch new military operations against Iran, unsettling Gulf states.

Blamed the Iran war for the Republicans' midterm defeat and questioned whether continuing the conflict is the right decision.

Says strengthened CENTCOM coordination with US agencies will further limit Iran's ability to finance terrorism, rebuild weapons factories, and replenish military equipment stockpiles.

States that the United States first imposed a naval blockade on 13 April, halted it on 18 June, and resumed it on 14 July.

Says two oil tankers exploded on mines in or near the Strait of Hormuz, one in the eastern part and one mid-route, and accuses both crews of turning off navigation systems and using unauthorized routes.

Calls the Strait of Hormuz an important lever of influence for Iran directly tied to the country's national and financial security.

Says the stopping of a commercial vessel in the Gulf of Oman was linked to the blockade of Iranian ports.

Says renewed airstrikes are highly unlikely if Iran signs a serious deal, while warning 38 bridges could be destroyed within an hour and announcing Task Force Iron Gate to cut Iran's arms supply routes.

“«Усе залежить від того, чи підпишуть [іранські переговорники] дуже серйозну угоду... Відповідь така: навряд чи в цьому виникне потреба».” uk

Says the war is the reason Republicans lost the midterm elections.

“«Причина, чому ми програли [вибори], – це війна».” uk

Says Trump addressed a real long-standing threat and that Iran's demands are unacceptable, outrageous, and unrealistic, and expects no breakthrough in peace talks soon.

“«Поки що переговори не надто плідні, оскільки вимоги Ірану є не просто неприйнятними – у деяких випадках вони просто обурливі, безглузді й абсолютно нереалістичні».” uk

Holds that maritime security in the Persian Gulf cannot be separated from Iran's national security and insists regional security arrangements cannot be designed without Iran's role and coastal states' participation.

Pursues a military presence and naval blockade against Iran while demanding unrestricted passage for vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.

Claims renewed US strikes are very unlikely if Iran advances toward a nuclear deal and reopens the Strait of Hormuz, while warning three carriers are fully armed and that Iran retains only 10% of missile and 15% of drone capacity.

“«این موضوع بستگی دارد به اینکه آیا آنها یک توافق بسیار قدرتمند را امضا میکنند یا نه.»” fa

Retaliated against the US attack on the tanker.

Struck the engine room of a tanker attributed to Iran as part of its naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Says the US military carried out new limited strikes on Iran on Friday targeting an air-defense system and characterizes the operation as minor.

Is creating the Iron Gate task force based in Tampa to prevent Iran from smuggling weapons, sanctioned goods and dual-use technologies across the Caspian Sea and land borders.

Attributes the Republican Party's poor midterm result to the prolonged Iran war.

Says Democrats will end the war and already have Republican support, citing the power of the purse against a president who wars without public consent.

“We are going to end the war. We have some Republicans already who have joined us in ending the war”

Urges a continuing resolution prohibiting financing of US combat activities in Iran.

“Support a continuing resolution prohibiting the financing of any combat activities of the U.S. military in Iran. End the Iran war like we did for Vietnam.”

Says he will introduce a joint resolution to end the Iran war on the first day of the next Congress.

Says there are many questions about Defense Secretary Hegseth and that no one knows the strategy in Iran.

“We have no idea what the strategy is moving forward in Iran.”

Argues Democrats should halt funding for White House operations to force the president to end the conflict.

Says it disabled the Iran-linked bulker Huda after its crew ignored warnings and attempted to violate the US naval blockade on Iranian ports.

Is identified as the actor that struck the Navig8 Messi northwest of Khasab, Oman.

Reports that Iranian attacks, attempted attacks and harassment, including UAV overflight and VHF hailing, persisted in the strait.